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99g 'super shoe' helps Sabastian Sawe break sub-two-hour London Marathon record
Sabastian Sawe clocked 1:59:30 in London, breaking Kelvin Kiptum's London course record of 2:01:25 by nearly two minutes. Yomif Kejelcha finished 1:59:40 and Tigst Assefa set a women's world record of 2:15.41. The breakthrough came two days after the 99-gram shoe was launched, highlighting advances in footwear technology.
Why It Matters
The event underscores ongoing advances in running technology and performance, as lighter, carbon-enabled footwear continues to push boundary times while regulators adapt rules to keep competition fair.
Timeline
6 Events
London Marathon: Sawe 1:59:30; Kejelcha 1:59:40; Assefa 2:15.41
April 27, 2026
Sabastian Sawe finished in 1:59:30, breaking Kelvin Kiptum's London course record of 2:01:25 by nearly two minutes; Yomif Kejelcha finished in 1:59:40; Tigst Assefa improved her own world record to 2:15.41, nine seconds faster than her previous mark.
Launch of 99-gram 'super shoe'
April 25, 2026
The 99-gram trainer—the first 'super shoe' under 100g—was launched two days before the London race, with the manufacturer citing marginal gains through lighter weight and integrated carbon design.
Sawe says breaking Kiptum's record is 'only a matter of time'
April 20, 2026
Sabastian Sawe told reporters last week that breaking Kelvin Kiptum's world marathon record was 'only a matter of time,' a remark reported ahead of the London race.
Kiptum's previous world record in Chicago wearing Alphafly 3s
2023
In 2023, Kelvin Kiptum set the previous world record in Chicago wearing the Nike Alphafly 3s.
World Athletics footwear rules updated
January 2022
World Athletics released an 18-page document outlining footwear regulations, including a maximum stack height of 40mm and a limit of one carbon plate, with shoes required to be available to all athletes in applicable competitions.
Kipchoge's sub-two-hour run in 2019 (not record-eligible)
2019
Eliud Kipchoge ran a marathon in under two hours in 2019 under controlled conditions, a performance not eligible for official records.